Savannah Morning News | ALEX LASALLEhttp://savannahnow.com/sms/taxonomy/term/134879/
enLaSalle: Democracy takes timehttp://savannahnow.com/column/2012-12-08/lasalle-democracy-takes-time
<div><img src="http://sav-cdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/story_slideshow_thumb/11478382_7.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb imagecache-default imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb_default" width="280" height="422" /></div><p />
<p>In a few days, Dec. 17 to be exact, we will reach the two-year anniversary of the death of Mohamed Bouazizi. A hard-working street vendor, Bouazizi set himself on fire in protest of his abuse under the oppressive Tunisian government. </p>
<p>Less than a month later, the Tunisian government was overthrown, and the widespread protests and revolts known as the “Arab Spring” began. </p>
<p>In January alone, protests rose up in Lebanon, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, Syria and Morocco. That February, Hosni Mubarak resigned from his post as president in Egypt. By October, Libyan tyrant Muammar Gaddafi was dead. Syria is still in the midst of a brutal civil war, but my money is on the rebels winning.</p>
<p>Other countries, including Saudi Arabia, have at the very least introduced significant reforms.</p>
<p>The ultimate goal of these revolutions was easy for Americans to understand: Democracy. After decades of dictatorial rule, most Arab countries are ready to choose their own leaders. And at first, it seemed like they had achieved this goal. Now we are bringing 2012 to a close, and the picture just gets foggier. </p>
<p>In June, Mohammed Morsi was sworn in as the country’s first freely elected president. That’s good. Morsi is a committed Islamist who, in November, issued a decree that drastically increased the power of the presidency. That’s bad.</p>
<p>In Libya, Gaddafi is gone. That’s good. Violence is still an occurrence, however, culminating in the attack on the Benghazi embassy in September. That’s bad. </p>
<p>If you look at the Middle East now, it may seem that democracy is not the answer. Morsi was elected, and yet he still holds an Islamist — and not entirely pro-America — point of view. </p>
<p>This leaves us with the Big Foreign Policy Question: Is it time to get involved?</p>
<p>Simply put, no. The shifts in Egypt and the rest of the Arab world are far from over, but they do not necessitate our involvement. To get an idea of what we might be looking at in terms of the years ahead, you’ll have to dig into your high school history textbooks. </p>
<p>The French Revolution began in 1789, and by 1792, the royalty and aristocracy had mostly lost their heads to the masses. Time to have a nice happy democratic republic, right? Nope. It was time, so decided the people of France, to fight amongst themselves and chop off heads left and right until 1799 when a free and peaceful democracy was achieved. </p>
<p>Wait, that’s not right. Did I say democracy? I mean the rise of a certain Napoleon Bonaparte to the position of Emperor of the French. Hint: If your government has a position of power referred to as “emperor,” you are not a democracy. It wasn’t until many years later that France achieved a relatively stable democracy. </p>
<p>I don’t see this being any different for the people in the Middle East. As Morsi has proven in Egypt, a single election is not a guarantee of stability and freedom. Just on Friday, 10,000 protestors broke through a barbed wire barricade, guarded by army tanks, outside the presidential palace. The Egyptian people are not done fighting for freedom, no more than the French people were done after Louis XVI was guillotined. </p>
<p>America can and should encourage democracy. However, even if it takes time and seems to be the bumpiest of roads, it is ultimately up to the Arab people to create it and support it.</p>
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<p>Alex LaSalle is an editorial department intern at the Savannah Morning News and a student at Georgia Southern University. <a href="mailto:alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com">alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com</a>. </p>
</p>
http://savannahnow.com/column/2012-12-08/lasalle-democracy-takes-time#commentsColumnOpinionALEX LASALLEPoliticsAfricaAlex LaSalleAmericaArab SpringArab WorldBouaziziContact DetailsEgyptHosni MubarakLebanonLibyaMember states of the African UnionMember states of the Arab LeagueMember states of the Organisation of Islamic CooperationMember states of the United NationsMiddle EastMilitary dictatorshipMohamed BouaziziMohamed BouaziziMohammed MorsiMoroccoMuammar GaddafiOmanPoliticspresidentSaudi ArabiaSyriaTunisiaTunisian governmentYemenSat, 08 Dec 2012 05:24:55 +0000ALEX LASALLE1017857 at http://savannahnow.comLaSalle: America's CEO presidencyhttp://savannahnow.com/column/2012-11-30/lasalle-americas-ceo-presidency
<div><img src="http://sav-cdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/story_slideshow_thumb/11478382_6.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb imagecache-default imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb_default" width="280" height="422" /></div><p />
<p>Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, in its own out-of-focus manner, represents a few different ideas. It signals a major shift in the Republican party. It represents the end of a Caucasian majority being the key to electoral success.</p>
<p>Look deeper, and it represents the peak of a relatively new idea in American politics — the idea of having a CEO instead of a president. </p>
<p>Through the entirety of the campaign cycle, Romney placed the emphasis almost exclusively on his successful record in the corporate world. Social issues and foreign policy were afterthoughts, subject to an attempted balance between attacking his opponent while himself holding to a non-threatening status quo. The economy was where the fight was. </p>
<p>He tried to sell America on the idea of a CEO president, as opposed to a politician. On paper, it’s an idea as easy to understand as it is logical — here’s a guy that knows how to cut costs, keep things organized and keep things efficient. Our country has money problems. Let’s elect the guy that solves money problems! </p>
<p>Not so fast. </p>
<p>To simplify either the role of CEO or the role of president of the United States to that of simply being the “management” is inaccurate. The most striking comparison is in the nature of each position. A CEO of a company is inherently self-serving. Their paycheck and bonus is the ultimate goal, and justifiably so. That’s how capitalism works. The president, however, is in a position that should ultimately be selfless. The president is there to serve the American people. </p>
<p>On top of that, you can’t fire citizens that cost you too much — although I’m sure Donald Trump would like to try.</p>
<p>Similarly, the president has less control over his constituents than the typical CEO. From columnist/blogger Jonathan V. Last: </p>
<p>“CEOs say jump and everyone around them says how high. The president says jump and half of Congress tries to countermand the order while getting him fired, and the other branch of government gets to decide whether jumping is even theoretically allowed.” </p>
<p>The overarching idea that a successful businessman can translate his skills to making a successful economy is on its way out. However, there are some comparisons between the roles of CEO and president that we — as well as the Obama administration — can learn from. </p>
<p>First is the idea of accountability. A CEO is ultimately responsible for what goes on in the company, no matter how sparse and distant their personal involvement may be. </p>
<p>The best modern example is the BP oil spill in the gulf — then-CEO Tony Hayward did not personally go and cause the oil platform to explode, he did not go and personally spread oil along the Gulf Coast and he did not go out and harm the widlife one fish at a time. But as CEO of the company, accountability for the incident ultimately rests on his shoulders. He became the public’s punching bag, and rightfully so. </p>
<p>A similar sense of responsibility is a fair way to treat the presidency. </p>
<p>Since the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, the executive branch’s response has been one of mixed messages and poor communication both internally and with the American people. </p>
<p>The White House has had trouble getting its story straight — was it a pre-planned terrorist attack? Was it the result of a spontaneous riot? Who’s running this show? The president is. Any miscommunication from any member of the executive branch, including Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice, needs to rest on President Obama’s shoulders. </p>
<p>The same could be said for the Fast and Furious gun-running scandal. </p>
<p>Even if President Obama had no knowledge whatsoever of the program, he is ultimately responsible for what goes on in the executive branch, just as a CEO is ultimately responsible for what goes on in the company. </p>
<p>America doesn’t need a CEO to run the country, but having a CEO’s sense of accountability in the White House would be a step in the right direction.</p>
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<p>Alex LaSalle is an editorial intern at the Savannah Morning News and a student at Georgia Southern University. <a href="mailto:alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com">alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com</a></p>
</p>
http://savannahnow.com/column/2012-11-30/lasalle-americas-ceo-presidency#commentsColumnOpinionALEX LASALLEBusinessDisasterEntertainmentEnvironmentHealthPoliticsSocial IssuesWarAlex LaSalleAmericaBain CapitalBusinessCandidate PositionCEOContact DetailsDeepwater Horizon oil spillDisasterEntertainmentEnvironmentExecutiveHealthJonathan V. LastLaSalleMan Made DisasterMitt RomneyMitt RomneyPerson CareerpoliticianPoliticsPratt–Romney familypresidentpresident of the United StatesRepublican PartyRepublican PartySocial IssuesThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsTony HaywardUnited StatesUnited StatesWarFri, 30 Nov 2012 05:39:09 +0000ALEX LASALLE1017155 at http://savannahnow.comLaSalle: The calm before Tuesday's stormhttp://savannahnow.com/column/2012-11-02/lasalle-calm-tuesdays-storm
<div><img src="http://sav-cdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/story_slideshow_thumb/11478382_5.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb imagecache-default imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb_default" width="280" height="422" /></div><p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Next Tuesday, a new president of the United States will be chosen by the voting citizens of this country, some defective voting machines and a handful of deceased folks from Chicago.</p>
<p>Until then, we can savor the calm before the storm — coincidentally caused by an actual storm — and look back on this circus of an election.</p>
<p>It all began with what now seems like a distant memory: the Republican primary. The primary debates looked like the lineup for a remake of “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,” all of the misfits racing for the nomination.</p>
<p>There was eventual nominee Mitt Romney’s challenge to Rick Perry, issued in the form of a $10,000 bet, ensuring that Romney looked as out-of-touch as Scrooge McDuck, swimming in his gold-filled vault. There was Michele Bachmann’s claim that Mrs. Woman-at-a-Rally told her an HPV vaccine gave her daughter mental retardation.</p>
<p>There was Rick Santorum’s permanent facial expression of perpetual digestive discomfort. There was Rick Perry’s Texas-sized “Oops” moment, when he struggled to name the third department of the federal government he would eliminate. I’m not sure if a campaign has ever crashed and burned so quickly in one moment.</p>
<p>There was overconfidence from Georgia’s own Newt Gingrich, who said “I’m going to be the nominee. It’s very hard not to look at the recent polls and think that the odds are very high I’m going to be the nominee.” How did that work out, Newt?</p>
<p>Then there was Pizza-man Herman Cain, his “999” plan, his obligatory sex scandal and what turned out to be another crash-and-burn moment: the “Libya” question. When asked why he opposed President Obama’s strategy in Libya, Cain drew a blank, looking more confused than a Palm Beach, Fla., voter.</p>
<p>Eventually, we made our way into the general election, and President Obama had plenty of catching up to do. No challenge was too great for the president, whose first debate performance was legendarily sedated. He looked like a 6-year-old in the outfield at a little-league baseball game, preferring to sit around a pick at the grass instead of pay attention to what was happening around him.</p>
<p>Even Obama himself conceded his underwhelming performance, acknowledging it by saying, “I had a bad night,” which is like saying “Poland was inconvenienced during WWII.”</p>
<p>On second thought, the Poland/WWII comparison is probably better suited to moderator Jim Lehrer, who may or may not have been clinically deceased throughout the debate.</p>
<p>Of course, we can’t forget the vice presidential debate between Paul Ryan and Joe Biden’s creepy grin. Actually, I think I would rather forget it. That smile is the stuff of nightmares.</p>
<p>That was followed by the second presidential debate, featuring a much more awake Obama. In fact, this Obama was more akin to an awakened bear, ready to fight. The town hall-style debate had Romney and Obama ignoring most politically correct “manners” in favor of simply calling their opponent out, repeating “That’s not true,” “That’s wrong,” and “Shut up, moderator.”</p>
<p>Of course, we also have aspects of the electoral circus that are as disheartening as they absurd. This was the first post-Citizens United v. Federal Election Commision election. The Citizens United case saw the Supreme Court hold that the First Amendment prohibited the government from restricting political expenditures by corporations and unions. Basically, that means corporations are people and your vote is being outweighed by someone else’s wallet.</p>
<p>Even that is aside from how politics seems to bring out the worst in people. Both sides have been yelling about how their opponent is the absolute worst candidate/president in history, and that America is going to simply burst into flame unless you elect the right candidate.</p>
<p>Once the circus has passed — until campaigning for 2016 begins in 2013 — we can all take a deep breath and recognize that, now matter how absurd our election cycle can be, America still manages to come out on top.</p>
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<p>Alex LaSalle is an editorial department intern at the Savannah Morning News and a Georgia Southern University student. <a href="mailto:alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com">alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com</a>.</p>
http://savannahnow.com/column/2012-11-02/lasalle-calm-tuesdays-storm#commentsColumnOpinionALEX LASALLEElectionsBusinessHospitalityLawPoliticsChicagoPALM BEACHAlex LaSalleBarack ObamaBusinessCandidate PositionCompany LocationContact DetailsFloridaGeorgiaHerman CainHospitalityHPVIt's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad WorldJoe the PlumberLawLibyaMichele BachmannMitt RomneyMitt RomneyNatural DisasterNewt GingrichObamaPerson CareerPoliticspresidentpresident of the United StatesQuotationRepublican Party presidential primariesRick PerryRick SantorumTexasThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited States presidential electionUSDFri, 02 Nov 2012 04:13:31 +0000ALEX LASALLE1014705 at http://savannahnow.comGOP candidates striking outhttp://savannahnow.com/column/2012-10-27/gop-candidates-striking-out
<div><img src="http://sav-cdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/story_slideshow_thumb/11478382_4.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb imagecache-default imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb_default" width="280" height="422" /></div><p />
<p>Let’s say you are the manager of a baseball team. If one of your players consistently strikes out at the plate, you take him out of the starting lineup, right? It’s a simple decision.</p>
<p>Republican Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock said something on Tuesday that he probably wishes he had not said. He struck out at the plate.</p>
<p>“I struggled with it myself a long time but I came to realize that life is a gift from God, that I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape that it is something that God intended to happen.” </p>
<p>Oops.</p>
<p>The reaction has been predictable. Republicans have split between supporting him and distancing themselves from him, while Democrats have more fuel for their “War on Women” narrative — itself no more real than the supposed “War on Christmas.” Honestly, I think Mourdock’s statement was simply a poorly-worded way of stating his belief that all life — even life resulting from rape — is sacred. I don’t agree with him, but he isn’t endorsing a crime. </p>
<p>But his real intentions are now meaningless, because he has allowed Democrats to remind the people of a certain Senate candidate from Missouri. </p>
<p>The irrelevance of Mourdock’s statements to the ignorance of Todd Akin — who erroneously claimed in August that “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” — is trivial at this point. The seed has been sewn, and the GOP will suffer on the whole for their inability to remove Akin soon after he struck out.</p>
<p>The problem with Akin goes beyond simple ignorance. This man is also on the House Committee on Science and Technology.</p>
<p>We can debate “values” and “ethics” all day long, but at some point we need to recognize when someone is clearly unqualified for the job at hand. I wouldn’t ask Akin to be on a science committee for the same reason I wouldn’t ask Joe Biden to be my speechwriter. </p>
<p>Of course, many of us do recognize it. But the burden here is not on Democrats or the media. Rather, it is on the Republicans, who have done a poor job of disconnecting Akin from the party. They have cut funding and attempted to get him to drop out, but he is still running for that seat. </p>
<p>However, they have still only been half-hearted in trying to get him out, and the connections being made between Mourdock and Akin prove as much. They both still have “Republican” next to their name on the ballot, as does Mitt Romney and every other GOP candidate. </p>
<p>Simply withdrawing an endorsement is not going to be enough to cleanse the stench of Akin’s incompetence.</p>
<p>If Romney wants to prove himself as concerned with country over party, as he should, than he needs to anti-endorse Akin and any other candidates that are so clearly unqualified. Akin, and possibly Mourdock, have fallen below the political Mendoza line, and are no longer worth keeping.</p>
<p>He’s a business guy; he knows how to fire incompetents. He should, for both the GOP and for America. But for now, Akin and Mourdock will still hurt him come the election. </p>
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<p>Alex LaSalle is an editorial department intern and Georgia Southern University student. <a href="mailto:alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com">alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com</a>.</p>
</p>
http://savannahnow.com/column/2012-10-27/gop-candidates-striking-out#commentsColumnOpinionALEX LASALLEcandidateCandidate PositionCDATAChristmasContact DetailsIndianaJoe BidenmanagerMissouriMitt RomneyPerson CareerPolitics of the United StatesQuotationRepublican PartyRepublican PartyRichard MourdockRichard MourdockSenateState governments of the United StatesThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsTodd AkinTodd AkinSat, 27 Oct 2012 04:14:06 +0000ALEX LASALLE1014214 at http://savannahnow.comLaSalle: 'The pill' still under firehttp://savannahnow.com/column/2012-10-19/lasalle-pill-still-under-fire
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<p>The passing of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — otherwise known as Obamacare, a term now embraced by both sides — in 2010 carried plenty of controversy with it. </p>
<p>Initially, one of the primary complaints was the “individual mandate” that any citizens must either purchase health insurance or pay a fine. This mandate was upheld by the Supreme Court as being constitutional after it was ruled that the mandate constituted a tax.</p>
<p>Since then, another mandate has been getting all the attention. One provision in Obamacare forces employers that facilitate health insurance for employees include free contraception. </p>
<p>While the mandate includes an exemption for churches and other houses of worship, it still applies to Christian hospitals, Christian charities, Catholic universities and other enterprises owned or controlled by religious organizations that oppose contraception on doctrinal grounds.</p>
<p>That, of course, means the time has come to bring out the lawyers.</p>
<p>The Catholic Diocese of Savannah — along with three other Catholic organizations in Georgia — has recently joined over 50 other dioceses, schools, hospitals, social service agencies and other institutions that have filed suit in federal court seeking to block the mandate. With each new lawsuit, the importance of this issue in the upcoming election grows.</p>
<p>In the words of Bishop Gregory John Hartmayer, “Our challenge to the federal mandate is not about whether people in this country should have access to the services covered by the mandate, but rather, it is about the fundamental issue of whether the government may force religious institutions and individuals to fund services which violate our religious and moral beliefs.” </p>
<p>I have never been particularly religious, nor am I an atheist, but I think the bishop has the right idea. Ensuring access to contraceptive health care is vastly different from forcing someone to provide it. </p>
<p>We can ensure that a patient has the right to access something, and we can ensure that a hospital has the right to provide the patient with that access. We cannot, however, justify using federal power to force the hospital to provide that access against their own will, any more than we can justify forcing the patient to use it.</p>
<p>I also have a hard time supporting the mandate being applied to religious organizations considering how many other ways there are of acquiring contraceptives, including Planned Parenthood and other similar clinics and centers. Not only is forcing religious organizations to provide the pill an overextension of federal power, it’s also unnecessary. </p>
<p>One metaphor made by those in support of the mandate is a comparison to the war in Iraq — their tax dollars go toward that even if they don’t believe in the war, so why shouldn’t these organizations facilitate access to contraception? </p>
<p>There is a crucial difference here. The war in Iraq was ostensibly going to benefit all U.S. taxpayers equally — we wouldn’t get blown up by terrorists with an Iraqi nuke. Of course, many of us don’t believe that any more, but that was the intention. </p>
<p>In contrast, the administrators of a Catholic university stand to benefit little from the provision of contraception to a few students. </p>
<p>Ultimately, I think the Obama administration or the future Romney administration will eventually overturn that particular mandate and exempt all religious organizations. That is, unless the Supreme Court beats them to it.</p>
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<p>Alex LaSalle is an editorial department intern at the Savannah Morning News and a senior at Georgia Southern University. </p>
<p><a href="mailto:alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com">alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com</a>.</p>
</p>
http://savannahnow.com/column/2012-10-19/lasalle-pill-still-under-fire#commentsColumnOpinionALEX LASALLEBusinessHealthHospitalityLaborLawPoliticsReligionSocial Issues111th United States CongressAlex LaSalleBishopBusinessContact DetailscontraceptionGeorgiaGregory John HartmayerHealthHealth insuranceHistory of the United StatesHospitalityHumanitiesIndividual mandateLaborLawPatient Protection and Affordable Care ActPerson CareerPoliticsPresidency of Barack ObamaReligionSocial IssuesSupreme CourtFri, 19 Oct 2012 04:03:56 +0000ALEX LASALLE1013501 at http://savannahnow.comLaSalle: America's biggest losers: Youthhttp://savannahnow.com/column/2012-10-12/lasalle-americas-biggest-losers-youth
<div><img src="http://sav-cdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/story_slideshow_thumb/11478382_3.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb imagecache-default imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb_default" width="280" height="422" /></div><p />
<p>Earlier this week, I received an email that asked me, in paraphrase, “Do you know why your generation is not more concerned about the debt?”</p>
<p>Good question. </p>
<p>Younger Americans — let’s go with under 25 years old — tend to be the least politically engaged demographic. That’s not exactly a winning strategy for us, given what lies ahead. The federal debt is growing rapidly each year, partially as a result to the aging of baby boomers. Each year sees more and more Social Security recipients being supported by a smaller number, proportionately speaking, of younger workers. </p>
<p>The federal debt is a dark cloud on the horizon.</p>
<p>But therein lays the problem — it’s still on the horizon. Younger folks are not known for their long-term planning ability. Political engagement, which includes concern about the debt, is simply not that high on our list of priorities. </p>
<p>We’re worried about getting good grades, getting our degree, paying of personal loan debts and finding any job at all after graduation. (I’m using college students as the example, as we tend to be more politically active to begin with.)</p>
<p>On top of that, effective political engagement often requires two things we lack: Free time and money. We’re busy working and studying. Many politically active citizens are either retired, or have been promoted enough to afford time off to engage politically. It’s much harder to skip an evening shift at Domino’s pizza to go to a political rally. The other popular form of political engagement is via political donations, and young Americans simply lack the funds to do that. Donating $50 to the Romney or Obama campaigns isn’t an option when it means we don’t eat for a week. </p>
<p>Going back to the initial question of how we want to deal with the federal debt. There’s no question it’s a major issue. However, there is disagreement over the best way to solve it. </p>
<p>Some propose tax cuts that will boost the economy and lead to more overall revenue for the federal government. </p>
<p>Some want a tax hike, saying that the older generation needs to pay their fair share to fix the mess they created. </p>
<p>Some want spending cuts, accusing the government of behaving irresponsibly with money. </p>
<p>When a 21-year-old liberal arts major says you have irresponsible spending habits, there’s a serious problem.</p>
<p>Actually, almost all of us want spending cuts. But there is disagreement over what to cut: do we slice up Medicare while holding on to our defense budget? Or do we bring our troops home and keep the savings? </p>
<p>It is a debate among younger Americans that is just in line with the national discussion. The caveat is our youthful preference for more immediate issues. </p>
<p>Hypothetically, let’s say that the federal debt and its future ramifications become number one on our list of political priorities. Then what? Like I said, we can’t make donations are go to rallies. Nobody is calling us to get our opinions for polls. </p>
<p>The most we can do is vote, and hope the results don’t stop us from making our own way in life. The rest of this is going to be on the shoulders of the older generation that ran up the debt. To them, I ask, “What are you leaving for your children and grandchildren in America?”</p>
<p>Hopefully, the reply is going to be something with a bit more substance to it than “Not that Socialist Obama!” or “Not that elitist Romney!” </p>
<p>The real loser of divisive, unproductive politics is the generation inheriting it.</p>
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<p>Alex LaSalle is an editorial department intern at the Savannah Morning News and a senior at Georgia Southern University. <a href="mailto:alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com">alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com</a>. </p>
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http://savannahnow.com/column/2012-10-12/lasalle-americas-biggest-losers-youth#commentsColumnOpinionALEX LASALLEBusinessSocial IssuesDomino's PizzaAlex LaSalleAmericaBarack ObamaBusinessContact DetailsEconomy of the United StatesIllinoisLuo peoplePolitical positions of Mitt RomneySocial IssuesUnited StatesUSDFri, 12 Oct 2012 04:04:52 +0000ALEX LASALLE1012832 at http://savannahnow.comLaSalle: The third-party factorhttp://savannahnow.com/column/2012-10-05/lasalle-third-party-factor
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<p>Ask any politically aware citizen what is wrong with American politics today, and one answer you will surely get is “The Two-Party System.”</p>
<p>Actually, you will probably hear something like “Obama socialism!” or “Romney elitism!” But that just proves my point. </p>
<p>Our current two-party system only gives us two real options for president of the United States: A Republican and a Democrat, each being forced to find a balance between their polarized bases and the moderate middle. </p>
<p>Wednesday night’s debate encapsulated this, as two candidates faced each other to see who could say the buzzword “middle-class” the most and win over moderate voters. </p>
<p>The consensus is that Romney won the debate by a mile. While that’s good for his campaign, the election season remains depressing. </p>
<p>Republicans are driven to — for purely electoral reasons — decline a 1 percent tax increase even if accompanied by a 10 percent spending cut. Democrats argue over the inclusion of religion in their platform, knowing that many middle-of-the-road moderates are church-going Americans. </p>
<p>At best, it’s intellectually dishonest. At worst, it’s pure pandering and lies. </p>
<p>It seems every vote these days is a vote for the lesser of two evils. </p>
<p>Third-party candidates, enter stage left. </p>
<p>While Teddy Roosevelt’s Progressive “Bull Moose” Party is the most oft-cited example of a third party making a difference, 20 years ago saw Ross Perot’s Reform Party grab 18.9 percent of the popular vote from George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. While he goose-egged in electoral votes, he showed that many Americans have no honest option — one they honestly want to be elected — when they show up to the polls. Oh, but they do!</p>
<p>The current premier third party in the United States is the Libertarian Party. Its platform focuses on small government in every respect: Hands-off foreign policy, hands-off economics and hands-off personal choices with drugs, marriage and so on. The current candidate is former Republican governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson. </p>
<p>This is where it gets tricky. The Libertarian Party usually wins about 5 percent of the popular vote, even though a much larger number of voters are ideologically libertarian. The usual criticisms: They have no chance to win, it’s a wasted vote. A vote for Gary Johnson is a vote for Obama! A vote for Gary Johnson is a vote for Romney!</p>
<p>No, it isn’t. It’s a vote for Gary Johnson. </p>
<p>In 1992, exit polls showed that Ross Perot drew 38 percent of his vote from Bush, and 38 percent of his vote from Clinton — the rest wouldn’t have voted without Perot’s presence on the ballot. Those were votes for Ross Perot, not Clinton or Bush.</p>
<p>The first step to voting for a third party is ballot access. The Libertarian Party has managed to get on the ballot in all but three states, where litigation is currently underway to get on the ballot. Georgia’s own laws make third-party candidacies a challenge, and this year, the party has candidates in the only two statewide races for seats on the Public Service Commission.</p>
<p>The left-of-Obama Green Party, with candidate Jill Stein, is further behind in ballot access. </p>
<p>If you want to see a third party — one that will at least get us out of the two-party ditch — then local elections are a good place to start. Vote Libertarians into state legislature; vote them into Congress. Then, and only then, will national candidates like Gary Johnson have some relevancy.</p>
<p>And be honest, Mitt Romney is going to win Georgia. Betting against the GOP in the Deep South is like putting money on Woody Allen in a boxing match against Mike Tyson. </p>
<p>No amount of votes for a third party is going to change that, but enough of those votes will send a message to both parties. </p>
<p>If you are in a battleground state, voting for Obama or Romney as a “lesser evil” is understandable. But most solid red and blue states are already decided. The rest of it is about seeing how honest your vote is.</p>
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<p>Alex LaSalle is an editorial department intern at the Savannah Morning News and a senior at Georgia Southern University. <a href="mailto:alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com">alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com</a>.</p>
</p>
http://savannahnow.com/column/2012-10-05/lasalle-third-party-factor#commentsColumnOpinionALEX LASALLEBusinessSocial IssuesSportsAlex LaSalleBallot accessBarack ObamaBill ClintonBill ClintonBusinessCandidate PositionContact DetailsGary JohnsonGeorge H.W. BushLibertarian PartyMitt RomneyMitt RomneyPerson CareerPerson LocationPerson PartyPolitical parties in the United StatesPolitics of the United Statespremierpresident of the United StatesReform PartyReform Party of the United States of AmericaRoss PerotRoss PerotRoss Perot presidential campaignSocial IssuesSportsTeddy RooseveltThird partyUnited StatesUnited StatesUnited States presidential electionFri, 05 Oct 2012 04:02:10 +0000ALEX LASALLE1012164 at http://savannahnow.comLaSalle: To campaign, or not to campaignhttp://savannahnow.com/column/2012-09-29/lasalle-campaign-or-not-campaign
<div><img src="http://sav-cdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/story_slideshow_thumb/11478382_2.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb imagecache-default imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb_default" width="280" height="422" /></div><p />
<p>Mitt Romney, at 65 years of age, has an impressive resume. </p>
<p>He has two degrees from Harvard, an undeniably successful business career and a solid record as the popular governor of Massachusetts. Since 2007, however, he has been a full-time presidential candidate.</p>
<p>Day in, day out, his work for the past five years has been focused on eventually taking up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. </p>
<p>On the other hand, Barack Obama, the current resident of the White House, has been busy with slightly more tangible work — being President of the United States — since his inauguration in 2009. </p>
<p>But, this is an election year. So now, Obama has to take up a second part-time job: campaigning.</p>
<p>One stop on the campaign train had the president and First Lady Michelle Obama on popular daytime talk show “The View.” His critics jumped on it faster than a dog on a steak. </p>
<p>After all, what is the Leader of the Free World doing on “The View?” Discussing the intricacies of monetary policy? Debating Whoopi Goldberg on the long-term pros and cons of Egyptian democracy?</p>
<p>I’m sure whatever they discussed was nowhere near as important as the topics of Mitt and Ann Romney’s appearance on “Live! With Kelly and Michael.” </p>
<p>While there appears to be a double standard — how can Romney campaign, and then criticize Obama for campaigning? — the president’s critics do have a valid gripe about prioritization. </p>
<p>Obama turned down personally meeting with other world leaders during the current United Nations summit in the United States. </p>
<p>To be honest, I’m not sure what the president would want to say to leaders like Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad other than, “Please stop being a tyrannical lunatic.” Still, it’s important that Obama shows inolvement, reaffirms alliances and so forth. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was sent in his place to meet with leaders, but that simply is not an equal substitute.</p>
<p>The desire for job security is understandable, but President Obama needs to remember that he is capital-P President Obama — fringe birther protests aside — and that Candidate Obama usually needs to take the backseat. That is inarguably how a sitting leader’s priorities need to be set.</p>
<p>And let’s be honest, the best campaign strategy for the president at this point in the election season might be to simply avoid campaigning. </p>
<p>The poll numbers are looking dark for “Mr. 47 Percent.” The word “gaffe” has entrenched its place in our lexicon thanks to Romney and the GOP — Joe Biden can barely keep up. </p>
<p>In the long-run, this is a minor issue for the president and for both parties’ campaigns. Obama likely spent little over a lunch break’s worth of time on “The View.” </p>
<p>Romney can’t go criticizing Obama every time the president campaigns to keep his job, and Obama needs to remember that, while some presidential duties are easy to take a lunch break from, the United Nations summit is not one of those times.</p>
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<p>Alex LaSalle is an editorial department intern at the Savannah Morning News and a senior at Georgia Southern University. <a href="mailto:alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com">alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com</a>.</p>
</p>
http://savannahnow.com/column/2012-09-29/lasalle-campaign-or-not-campaign#commentsColumnOpinionALEX LASALLEBusinessEntertainmentEnvironmentHealthLaborPoliticsAlex LaSalleAnn RomneyBain CapitalBarack ObamaBarack ObamaBusinessCandidate PositionContact DetailsEntertainmentEnvironmentGovernorHarvardHealthIllinoisLaborleaderMassachusettsMichelle ObamaMichelle ObamaMittMitt RomneyPennsylvaniaPerson CareerPolitical positions of Mitt RomneyPoliticsPratt–Romney familypresidentpresident of the United StatesPublic image of Mitt RomneyThe ViewUnited NationsUnited StatesUnited StatesWhite HouseWhoopi GoldbergSat, 29 Sep 2012 04:18:22 +0000ALEX LASALLE1011664 at http://savannahnow.comLaSalle: Romney and the youth votehttp://savannahnow.com/column/2012-09-24/lasalle-romney-and-youth-vote
<p>I was just shy of being eligible to vote for president in the 2008 election, but I still had the opportunity to see Barack Obama win over America’s younger voters by the largest margin since exit polling began in 1972. </p>
<p>In 2008, 66 percent of those under age 30 voted for Obama. There were as many “HOPE 2008” T-shirts on college campuses as there were Led Zeppelin T-shirts. He stole the show. That decisive victory with America’s young folks was a driving factor in his trip to The White House.</p>
<p>But attitudes change. It’s been a rough four years, and President Obama lacks the enthusiastic fan base he had in 2008. Still, he holds a solid lead among young voters. Many estimates show around 50 percent of those under 30 support Obama; around 37 percent favor Mitt Romney.</p>
<p>If the Romney campaign wants to sway some of the Millenials — those born after 1980 — here are some tips:</p>
<p>1. Focus on education. Obama got a head start this year by using student loan rates as a campaign topic. With a flaccid job market for recent graduates, nobody wants to leave school in debt. Romney can’t ignore that, and he can’t react by cutting funding and financial aid for college students. </p>
<p>Fiscal conservatism is not an alien concept to college students — in fact, Advanced Placement Economics was one of my most enjoyable and well-taught classes in high school — but any proposed cuts to the Pell Grant program or institutional funding will only lose votes. </p>
<p>2. Explain America’s policy in the Middle East to us. I was in 5th grade when 9/11 happened. As a consequence of my youth — although I am plenty old enough to enlist, vote, etc. — I have never really known a world where American soldiers weren’t marching around some goat farms in the desert and where airport security didn’t molest me in response to the little bit of toothpaste in my luggage. To my generation, the death of Osama bin Laden, while widely and justifiably celebrated, was like the death of the bogeyman in the closet. The warnings of impending doom have long overshadowed any actual feelings of danger. America’s youth has grown tired of it. Convince us why we should keep going.</p>
<p>Additionally, our foreign policy in recent years has proven to be expensive to the tune of almost $4 trillion. While the necessity of this spending is up for debate, please be honest about it. Romney and Paul Ryan call themselves fiscal conservatives in one speech and then propose increased defense spending in the next speech — occasionally they do both in the same speech. The best description of this hypocrisy is an unprintable synonym for bovine fecal matter, and Millenials have a keen sense of smell. </p>
<p>3. Ease up on the social conservatism. In particular, the issue of gay marriage shows a tremendous generational discrepancy. Millennials favor gay marriage by a significant 61 percent, according to a Pew Research Center report. Obama won points when he stated his support for gay marriage, however symbolic it may be. Even Fox News anchor Shep Smith remarked, “The president of the United States, now in the 21st century.” </p>
<p>I have multiple friends, all of them good people, that are part of the LGBT demographic. Telling them they can’t get married is not going to win me over. Romney was governor of Massachusetts — which is still standing — when it legalized same-sex marriage. He should know better, and the GOP should realize that this is a losing issue for them in the long-run. </p>
<p>4. Talk about getting the money out of politics. No, corporations are not people. Remember what I said about Millenials’ keen sense of smell? This is the same stench. Corporations are property, not people. If my television set can’t donate money to political campaigns, why can a corporation?</p>
<p>Convince us that our vote makes a difference by making sure we don’t have to pay for it in cash.</p>
<p>Mitt Romney and the Republican Party have a chance to win over many young voters, and failure to do so may not only hurt them in November, but in many future elections. </p>
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<p>Alex LaSalle is an editorial department intern at the Savannah Morning News and a senior at Georgia Southern University. <a href="mailto:alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com">alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com</a>.</p>
</p>
http://savannahnow.com/column/2012-09-24/lasalle-romney-and-youth-vote#commentsColumnOpinionALEX LASALLEBusinessEntertainmentEnvironmentHealthPoliticsAlex LaSalleAmericaBain CapitalBarack ObamaBarack Obamabin LadenBusinessCandidate PositionContact DetailsEntertainmentEnvironmentHealthMiddle EastMitt RomneyMitt RomneyPerson CareerPolitical positions of Mitt RomneyPoliticsPratt–Romney familypresidentPublic image of Mitt RomneyQuotationThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsUnited StatesWhite HouseMon, 24 Sep 2012 04:02:36 +0000ALEX LASALLE1011198 at http://savannahnow.comLaSalle: Don't underfund America's futurehttp://savannahnow.com/column/2012-09-22/lasalle-dont-underfund-americas-future
<div><img src="http://sav-cdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/story_slideshow_thumb/11478382_1.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb imagecache-default imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb_default" width="280" height="422" /></div><p />
<p>Among the onslaught of buzzwords brought on by an election year — freedom, choice, change, middle-class, you name it — one of the all-time classics is “future.” And when a candidate gets on the podium and starts talking about the “future” for America’s “children,” you know you’ve got a real campaign going.</p>
<p>When talking about America’s future, the discussion starts with education. </p>
<p>Surely, our legislators know this. Then why do they continue to avoid adequately funding our education system? They can harp all they want on issues like teachers unions and inefficient bureaucracy, but sooner or later, funding for public schools will need to increase. </p>
<p>Like most financial decisions, this one can be pinned down by looking at the opportunity cost of underfunding our education system.</p>
<p>Defense is important — but only a competitive mathematics curriculum will produce engineers to design better vehicles, better armor and better guns. Health care is important — but only a solid chemistry course will lead to top-notch pharmaceutical researchers. </p>
<p>One consistent marker of a quality education system is the student-teacher ratio. The more time a teacher has per student, the better the education. In spite of this, class sizes are still on the rise. Since 2010, the state of Georgia has effectively removed class size limits to save money — at the expense of a quality education.</p>
<p>Annual teachers’ salaries in Georgia hover around $52,000, with even lower numbers for less experienced teachers. Not exactly the pay level to draw in America’s best and brightest, is it? Not only are teacher’s dealing with ever-increasing class sizes, there’s the constant threat of upset parents causing a fuss. Given that, who in their right mind would become a teacher these days? </p>
<p>Adequately funding schools is a necessity — and it has to be done soon. Five small districts in Georgia began the current fiscal year with no money after emptying their own coffers to compensate for low state and national funding. Actual bankruptcy is not far-fetched.</p>
<p>But the question remains, where do we get the money? One popular option is to cut expenses. By all means, fill the national Department of Education with cement and call it the National Monument to Pointless Bureaucracy. That will get us somewhere. </p>
<p>Look at cutting defense costs. A single unmanned Predator drone costs about $4 million. That doesn’t include the cost of running it overseas, as well as the cost of each missile we use to blow up a few goats and camels. Each drone we don’t make, however, could pay 79 teachers in Georgia for a full year. We, as taxpayers and voters, will have to pick one or the other.</p>
<p>The second option is to raise taxes. It’s like feeding spinach to a child, but sometimes tax hikes are necessary. If the people won’t go for serious spending cuts, they need to be prepared to foot the bill through taxes. </p>
<p>When it comes to our education system, our schools, our teachers and our children, this sort of financial despair is unacceptable. America’s future will always rest on the quality of her schools. Let’s not underfund our future.</p>
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<p>Alex LaSalle is an editorial department intern at the Savannah Morning News and a senior at Georgia Southern University. <a href="mailto:alexlasalle@savannahnow.com">alexlasalle@savannahnow.com</a>.</p>
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http://savannahnow.com/column/2012-09-22/lasalle-dont-underfund-americas-future#commentsColumnOpinionALEX LASALLEBusinessEducationHealthLaborSocial IssuesAlex LaSalleAmericaBusinessContact DetailsEducationEducation policyGeorgiaHealthLaborpharmaceuticalSocial IssuesState schoolteacherUSDWelfare stateSat, 22 Sep 2012 04:18:40 +0000ALEX LASALLE1011077 at http://savannahnow.comLaSalle: Dream of the 90s is alivehttp://savannahnow.com/column/2012-09-08/lasalle-dream-90s-alive
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<p>There is a sketch-comedy show on the Independent Film Channel called “Portlandia,” starring Saturday Night Live’s Fred Armisen and musician Carrie Brownstein. </p>
<p>The theme of the show is how “The Dream of the ’90s” is alive and well in Portland, Ore. </p>
<p>Indeed, the pilot episode opened with a musical number about Portland as a 1990s-esque haven where social liberalism thrives and life is like it was before the War on Terror, the Great Recession and where everyone sleeps in until 11 a.m. </p>
<p>It seems “The Dream of the ’90s” was also alive in Charlotte.</p>
<p>Was the social liberalism there? You bet. One of the biggest topics of the convention was abortion, and how it relates to the supposed “War on Women” being waged by conservatives. Sandra Fluke, whose claim to fame is being insulted by out-of-date radio host Rush Limbaugh, continued to make the case for government support of contraception and abortion rights. It’s not a far stretch from the 1990s, when “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was a progressive move, socially speaking. </p>
<p>The early ’90s saw America working its way out of a Cold War mindset, while the 2010s see us working our way out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Health care reform is a big topic once more, with the current administration’s efforts a more successful variant of the Democratic Party’s efforts in the ’90s. </p>
<p>We even have the familiar dynamic of a charismatic Democrat in the White House clashing with a Republican Speaker of the House. </p>
<p>And if those weren’t enough to bring voters back to the days of Seinfeld, boy bands and Furbies — you know, those little furry toys that would never shut up, much like today’s politicians — the headliner for Wednesday night was former president Bill Clinton. </p>
<p>Clinton, as he tends to do, made an excellent speech that focused on economy, jobs, health-care reform and entitlements. These are the issues most swing voters care about, and they are the issues that voters are hoping have a ’90s-like economic upturn. </p>
<p>The Dream of the ’90s was alive and well in Charlotte, and the Democrats are wise to keep this strategy up. After all, the ’90s were a pretty nice decade. </p>
<p>We weren’t involved in any major wars, the economy was on a huge upswing, we had a likeable and charismatic leader that even many conservatives now agree wasn’t too bad a president — barring some personal indiscretions, of course. </p>
<p>Even today, many 20-somethings openly lament the loss of ’90s cartoons with a tremendous sense of nostalgia. </p>
<p>At this point, what the ’90s were like in reality is irrelevant. What matters is that voters like to reminisce positively on the days before Facebook and Google sucked our souls into the Internet.</p>
<p>As Republicans constantly work to associate their party’s best with the Reagan years in the 1980s, the Democrats are starting to work to associate their party’s best, and President Obama, with Bill Clinton’s 1990s. </p>
<p>And with Slick Willie himself making speeches and pushing this idea, it might just work this November. </p>
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<p>Alex LaSalle is an intern in the editorial department and a senior at Georgia Southern University. <a href="mailto:alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com">alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com</a>.</p>
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http://savannahnow.com/column/2012-09-08/lasalle-dream-90s-alive#commentsColumnOpinionALEX LASALLEBusinessEntertainmentEnvironmentHealthHuman InterestLaborPoliticsSocial IssuesTechnologyWarCharlottePORTLANDAfghanistanAlex LaSalleAmericaBill ClintonBrownsteinBusinessCarrie BrownsteinCarrie BrownsteinCDATAConservatism in the United StatesContact DetailscontraceptionDemocratic PartyDemocratic PartyDon't Ask, Don't TellEntertainmentEnvironmentFred ArmisenFred ArmisenHealthHuman InterestLabormusicianOregonPerson CareerPolitical parties in the United StatesPoliticsPortlandiapresidentRepublican PartyRiot grrrlSandra FlukeSaturday Night LiveSocial IssuesspeakerTechnologyTelevisionWarWhite HouseSat, 08 Sep 2012 04:29:27 +0000ALEX LASALLE1009991 at http://savannahnow.comTime to screen prospective soldiershttp://savannahnow.com/column/2012-09-02/time-screen-prospective-soldiers
<div><img src="http://sav-cdn.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/story_slideshow_thumb/11478382_0.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb imagecache-default imagecache-story_slideshow_thumb_default" width="280" height="422" /></div><p />
<p>As a 21-year-old American college student, I have some common ambitions for my future. </p>
<p>I would like a steady job doing something I enjoy, and I hope to eventually be able to marry a pretty girl and support a loving family. I wouldn’t mind traveling around a bit. </p>
<p>These are common ambitions for a 21-year-old. Another 21-year-old, Army Pvt. Isaac Aguigui, allegedly has slightly different ambitions. </p>
<p>According to Georgia prosecutors, he was hoping to start by poisoning apple orchards and bombing a Savannah park fountain, eventually working his way up to the assassination of the president and an anarchist overthrowing of the U.S. government. </p>
<p>Aguigui and two fellow soldiers are being brought up on charges including malice murder, felony murder and illegal gang activity in the Dec. 4 slayings of former Army Pvt. Michael Roark and his 17-year-old girlfriend, Tiffany York. These murders were supposedly intended to cover up the aforementioned ambitions.</p>
<p>To the outside observer, it sounds like Aguigui may be suffering from some form of mental health issue. One would suspect a psychological problem from someone who, according to a prosecutor, called himself “the nicest cold-blooded murderer you will ever meet.”</p>
<p>Violent madmen are nothing new, even within our borders. The Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, mailed bombs to protest the spread of technology. A 53-year-old Lawrenceville man was arrested on Wednesday after police discovered alleged explosive devices at the suspect’s home. </p>
<p>The list goes on. But Aguigui may be more than just a troubled individual. He and his cohorts, who allegedly called themselves FEAR — an acronym for Forever Enduring Always Ready — were enlisted soldiers. America’s best.</p>
<p>Prosecutors said all of his “recruits” were soldiers. They said he funded his militia with the life insurance payments from the death of his pregnant wife, which authorities have described as “highly suspicious.”</p>
<p>This is a close-to-home example of one of the largest obstacles today’s armed forces face: the mental health of soldiers. </p>
<p>There are two sides to this. The first is the care for soldiers that are deployed in or are returning from Iraq or Afghanistan. Issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other negative reactions to overseas duty have garnered the most attention in recent years. And progress is continuous. There are some wounds that bulletproof vests and helmets cannot protect soldiers from. </p>
<p>But, there is another large issue at hand: the mental health of soldiers before they ship out. </p>
<p>This aspect of military psychiatry has not gone ignored. </p>
<p>In January 2011, The Army released a study of the benefits of pre-deployment evaluation of soldiers and follow-up treatment while they were deployed. They found that improved screening reduced later behavioral problems by 78 percent and reduced thoughts of suicide by more than half.</p>
<p>However, there is still work to be done, as Aguigui’s alleged ambitions for anarchy have shown us. Prosecutors argue that he was able to recruit other soldiers that were similarly disgruntled or delusional. </p>
<p>It is possible that pre-deployment evaluations are not enough. Aguigui had never been deployed overseas by the time of his arrest. How about a pre-enlistment screening?</p>
<p>If any potential recruit for the U.S. armed forces shows signs of behavioral or psychological problems, they could easily be denied enlistment. And this would certainly be preferable to uncovering mental health problems after enlistment, or worse — during deployment when their fellow soldiers depend on them.</p>
<p>While access to proper psychiatric care is essential for all soldiers, young and veterans, being able to screen out mental health issues before they become tangible problems is the most effective solution. </p>
<p>We have the most technologically advanced fighting force in the world’s history. We need to extend those same high standards to its psychological stability.</p>
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<p>Alex LaSalle is an intern for the editorial department at the Savannah Morning News and a senior at Georgia Southern University. </p>
<p><a href="mailto:alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com">alex.lasalle@savannahnow.com</a>. </p>
</p>
http://savannahnow.com/column/2012-09-02/time-screen-prospective-soldiers#commentsColumnOpinionALEX LASALLEWarLawrencevilleArmy PvtAbnormal psychologyAmericaArmyArrestCDATAContact DetailsGeorgiaIsaac AguiguiMedicineMental disorderMental healthMichael RoarkMilitary medicineMilitary psychiatryMilitary scienceMilitary serviceMilitary sociologyPosttraumatic stress disorderpresidentprosecutorPsychiatryTed KaczynskiTiffany YorkWarSun, 02 Sep 2012 04:11:18 +0000ALEX LASALLE1009554 at http://savannahnow.comLaSalle: Thoughts from a first-time voterhttp://savannahnow.com/column/2012-08-23/lasalle-thoughts-first-time-voter
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<p>This is a big year for me, and it’s a big year for America. </p>
<p>I’m entering my final year at Georgia Southern University. Next May, I am going into the “real world” my parents warned me about.</p>
<p>This Sunday, I will celebrate my 21st birthday, and the government of this fine country will allow me to drink and gamble my life away without interference from the law. Of course, I can think of better long-term strategies for success. </p>
<p>From now to graduation is also the last chance I have to prove my worth to potential employers, which is no easy task. </p>
<p>About 1.5 million, or 53.6 percent, of bachelor’s degree-holders under the age of 25 last year were jobless or employed below their skill level. Some graduates languish in jobs below their skill level, as waitresses, cashiers and delivery boys. Others look toward acquiring a graduate degree in hopes that the economy will have improved once they have a master’s degree under their belt. </p>
<p>Of course, that graduate degree also adds to rising debt. Rising tuition prices are a constant threat, and recent cuts to the HOPE scholarship program haven’t helped. I just paid almost $200 for a single Spanish textbook. That’s almost 30 hours of earning minimum wages. </p>
<p>When high school seniors are looking for colleges to attend, the first question they ask should be, “What will I get out of this school?” It shouldn’t be, “Can I afford this?” Education is expensive.</p>
<p>But education is also necessary. I understand that, even if my bachelor’s degree leaves me with a job as a waiter, that’s still better than the chance given to a high school graduate. Part of me is worried, but part of me is confident in my ability and work ethic.</p>
<p>This also is an election year, and it will be the first presidential election I can vote in.</p>
<p>The previous election had record-setting turnout from the youth of this country. They are my friends, my peers, and they did a lot to help President Obama win the election in 2008. This time won’t be as easy. </p>
<p>He’s trying it again this year by making student loan rates a major talking-point. He has the right idea, but it won’t be easy. The cost of education is largely a product of the economy, which is still as flat as a soda left open for three days. </p>
<p>On the other side, Mitt Romney has promised to rejuvenate our economy, making his business experience the center of his campaign. Still, it will be a challenge for him to shake his reputation of being an out-of-touch “old guy” as likely to banish you from his lawn as he is to help you. </p>
<p>I’m undecided. I’m more focused on learning something from my $200 Spanish textbook than politics. Still, I hope both candidates try to understand where I’m coming from. </p>
<p>There are countless students in a situation similar to mine. This is a big year for us. </p>
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<p>Alex LaSalle is an editorial department intern for the Savannah Morning News and a student at Georgia Southern University.</p>
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http://savannahnow.com/column/2012-08-23/lasalle-thoughts-first-time-voter#commentsColumnOpinionALEX LASALLEBusinessDisasterLaborLawAlex LaSalleAmericaBusinessCDATADisasterGeorgiaGeorgiaGeorgia Southern UniversityGeorgia Southern UniversityLaborLawSavannah metropolitan areaSavannah, GeorgiaUSDwaiterThu, 23 Aug 2012 05:03:25 +0000ALEX LASALLE1008742 at http://savannahnow.com